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Brian Macmillan
Take the sweet vocals of James Taylor, the Rhythm of Paul Simon, pepper it with a heartfelt message of love and you have the one-and-only Brian MacMillan.
Brian MacMillan is one of Canada’s finest young musicians. An extremely talented singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Brian’s uplifting and multi-layered original songs are a dynamic blend of Pop, Folk, and Worldbeat music.
The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals recognized Brian’s songwriting in 2005 by awarding him the Colleen Peterson Award.
Rob Szabo
accessible yet sophisticated acoustic pop
A “gifted musician” with “the soul of a poet” and “a voice of tremendous power and whimsy”, Toronto-based Rob Szabo is a tireless touring troubadour and an acclaimed songwriter. His music has been called “accessible yet sophisticated acoustic pop”. Szabo’s lyrics are beyond-heartfelt and have a "psst, did you know that?” confessional air to them, prompting journalists to compare him to Elliott Smith, for his emotional intimacy, and to “prime Costello” for his lyrical smarts. Rob plays honest intense music for music lovers.
Enoch Kent
co-founder of the acclaimed Singers Club
3x Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee
Enoch music is treasured by both traditional and contemporary music enthusiasts with a passion for story-songs, love and betrayal ballads, and gritty politics. While his songs are deeply rooted in the Scottish style, much of his subject matter is Canadian, giving his music a unique cultural blend. What's more is Enoch's natural storytelling style complemented by a ferocious wit and kitchen range warmth.
"A folk artist of the finest order, a riveting performer and a compelling yarn spinner… a potent and enriching experience for all who listen."
- The Toronto Star
Mose Scarlett
Roots and Traditional Juno nominee
Mose Scarlett is, unarguably, one of a kind. While he draws on a wide range of musical sources from the early 1900's through the 40's, his style defies categorization or comparison - the blend is unique. He bills his music as 'Jazz, Blues, Ragtime and Swing' because, as he says, "those are the four things I've been accused of most often".
Juno winner John Bottomley is a former guitar student of Mose's, and many other musical friends, like Canada's irrepressible Big Rude Jake and America's inimitably eccentric Leon Redbone, allow that Mose had a big impact on their performing styles. He is widely respected among his peers, both for his talents and his wide generosity.
Morgan Davis
2004 JUNO for "Blues Album of the Year"
Morgan Davis has had a well recognized career with numerous awards for Morgan's lifetime contribution to Blues Music.
"Morgan's deep resonating voice and true-to-the-roots guitar work make a great combination. Anyone who appreciates straight-up blues delivered with taut, tough intensity and a good dose of humour will love Morgan Davis. Simply stated, for my money, he is one of Canada's best bluesmen."
The Good Right Arm Stringband
Kick-Ass Old-Time
and
Honky Tonk Music
All four members of The Good Right Arm are veterans of the Canadian roots music scene. The Good Right Arm Stringband formed in 2006 as a happy result of Tony Allen’s first solo recording “Steam”. While working on that project, it became apparent that there was a shared sensibility towards playing old-time country music the way they figure it should be played.
National Steel Blues Tour
Michael Pickett
Juno Nominee
Award Winning Recording Artist
Acoustic Roots
Accompanied only by his guitar, rack harmonica and sensual expression, Michael Pickett is a performer who has stripped away the frills, to arrive at a place that belongs entirely to him.
"I had a vision that he was gonna be one of the best. In my book he is."
- Hubert Sumlin
"One of the finest harmonica players of all time."
- Lee Oskar
“Tonight he was cast perfectly in the role of the sage, right down to his road-worn and incredibly resonant hollow-body guitar."
- Live Music Report
Doc MacLean
Delta Blues
Doc MacLean came of age playing with some of the Delta’s most celebrated songsters. Now, marking 30 years on the blues highway, his work as a songwriter reflects his family roots in the labor movement, his time spent living and performing in the rural southern United States, and his personal connections to the oral and musical history of the Delta. He views his own compositions as part of an unbroken tradition. Now, as America rediscovers it’s roots, new audiences are discovering Doc MacLean.
Kate Weekes
recieved the 2007 Beth Ferguson Award - Ottawa Folk Festival
You may have seen Kate busking outside of your local liquor store a few years ago as she was saving up to head out on a cross-country hitch-hiking adventure that led her to the Yukon. Now calling the Yukon "home", Kate has spent the last few years canoeing, dog mushing, and becoming an established musician & song-writer.
Kate is touring Ontario this summer with Carolyn Stewart & Ben Whiteley.
Madviolet
Nominated for Best Folk Album of the Year
East Coast Music Awards
Both women are steeped in acoustic, folk and country traditions. For Lisa it’s a matter of genetics. She began playing fiddle at Cape Breton kitchen parties as a child and turned professional in her mid-teens, wracking up mileage on Celtic roadshows with her brother Ashley, Bruce Guthro and Gordie Sampson, among others.
“We’re developing our sound. We’re building audiences in different countries on different continents. We’re excited to see where things go next.”
Charlie Sohmer
grand prize winner in the
2007 OCFF "Songs From the Heart" Awards
Charlie Sohmer’s music is quirky, thoughtful, and warm-hearted or, as Charlie’s website puts it, “Honest and touching.” In other words, quintessential Canadian folk music (albeit with plenty of country, gospel, Cajun, and bluegrass influences).
Variety in style is also the key here as Charlie Sohmer doesn't get stuck in a creative rut, as he injects a touch of Cajun, Reggae, some Blues, and even a hint of Bluegrass into his works as a songwriter.
Don Ross w/
Antoine DuFour
One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross has emerged as one of the most respected musicians in Canada and one of the top guitarists in the world.
Ross is a self-taught guitarist whose music borrows from rock, jazz, folk and classical music creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood". In the liner notes to Ross' 2003 album Robot Monster, Bruce Cockburn writes "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control."
Antoine Dufour is emerging as one of Canadas young stars of acoustic, fingerstyle guitar. His third CD of complete original material was released to critical acclaim, along with appearances and awards at major festivals, Antoine is building a national reputation for innovation and creativity.
Juno award winner for solo effort in the Roots & Traditional Category
The consistent quality of work produced over Stephen Fearing’s two decades plus career has earned him a West Coast Music Award for Best Folk Music Recording and five Juno Award nominations as a solo artist and a faithful international fan base.
2 Year Anniversary
w/ Brooke Miller
recipient of the 2007 OCFF
Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
Her debut CD You Can See Everything is awash in mind blowing brilliance. Hailing from Prince Edward Island on Canada’s Atlantic coast, the lush organic landscape of her birth land bleeds through every track on the album.
I can't think of anyone else we would dream of having here for this evening. If you can make it, please come and join us.
"It is a safe bet we will be hearing a hell of a lot more of her in the coming months and get in on a good thing."
- Halifax Herald
"her ear for melody, thought provoking lyrics and guitar work belie her years...I'm sure she will join the ranks of some of Canada's best singer-songwriters."
- Penguin Eggs Magazine
EMI Recording Artist
WIL
Back in the day, musicians had to work for their supper. They hit the road because performing music was once more important than recording it. Immediately reminiscent of Ryan Adams, with maybe a bit of Hayden, Wil's electro-accoustic approach to his guitar is striking and his clear booming voice impressive.
"This is country the indie set doesn’t have to shy away from" - Chart Attack
Eve Goldberg
Imagine a kitchen party where Mother Maybelle Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Mississippi John Hurt, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Patsy Cline show up, and you begin to get a sense of what it feels like inside songwriter Eve Goldberg's head. Never one to restrict herself to one genre of music, Eve has performed her trademark mixture of folk, blues, country, bluegrass, old time, and jazz in venues ranging from small house concerts to the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington DC since 1990.
Rose Cousins
Nominated for two East Coast Music Awards
Nominated best solo artist Canadain Folk Music Awards
Rose Cousins has a knack for stirring the heart. A weave of her journey and thoughtful observation, her songs tell subtle stories open enough to belong to anyone. With expressive arrangements, warm guitar and effortless vocals, one would hardly believe she's on stage alone.
It's no wonder Cousins is the object of audience affection....
- The Boston Globe
She entered 2007 with two impressive East Coast Music Award nominations for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and CBC Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year.
w/ Don Brownrigg
Music with spirit. Music akin to roots, folk, blues, and country. Music that is sincere in its growth and production, and heartfelt in its delivery. Don Brownrigg creates music that blurs accustomed genres and lyrical limits and hints on his diverse musical tastes.
Yael Wand
True to her divergent roots and wanderings, Yael Wand delivers songs with the sensibility of folk and allusions to jazz, all set in the landscape of a wild country.
Her classical vocal training and 17 years of live performance make her a powerful performer. She draws in an audience with the sound of her voice, clear and passionate, and captivates with the colour and substance of her songwriting.
With an acoustic guitar and a powerful voice, Yael Wand performed original songs that reminded me just how good it feels to hear live music.
-The Ubysee, March 8, 2002
Ken Whiteley
Six Time Juno Award Nominee
Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s finest musical statesman. He has worked with blues and folk legends from Pete Seeger to Lonnie Johnson. He has been called a “playing encyclopedia” for his depth and range of styles, covering everything from blues and gospel to children’s music. Whether performing solo or playing with any of his large circle of musical friends, as one critic has said, “with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured.”
Blues, gospel, swing and folk created with “deep knowledge, infectious passion and virtuoso musicianship”.
-R.Reid/Kitchener Waterloo Record
Bob Snider
a national treasure, a folk hero and one of Canada's best songwriters
"Who is Bob Snider?" I asked him. He didn't know. "Regarding music, or the words part of songwriting", he says. "I seem to have a twist in my brain that associates words. In rhyming and in other ways. I know this goes way back so I guess you could call it a knack. If I can take any credit for it, it's just that I've always enjoyed playing with this knack If one can take credit for enjoying something."
"When Bob Snider picks up his classical guitar and starts to sing, it's a pure and powerful expression"
-Mike Beggs/EYE Magazine
Alun Piggins
and the
Dogeaters Skiffle Group
... Alun Piggins is a local singer/songwriter - and a damn'good one - who has managed to keep his musical career going for years without ever really joining the business...
- Toronto Sun
... Piggins seems to have listened to all the great pop/rock tunes over the years and has somehow managed to distill the magic ingredients into just the right blend...
- Blues on Stage
Stephen Stanley & Carla MacNeil
Stephen Stanley is a founding member of Canadian rock band The Lowest of the Low. They broke out on the Toronto rock scene in 1991 with independently produced and recorded Shakespeare My Butt; a record which has since become a staple of discerning music fans' libraries and been dubbed one of the greatest Canadian records of all time by Chart Magazine.
Ken Hamm
Juno Award Winner
Traditional Roots and Blues Music
Ken Hamm is one of Canada's foremost interpreters of traditional roots and blues music. Since 1978, when he began touring solo, Hamm has won a wide following for his stellar guitar work, as well as for his original songwriting.
Along the way Hamm was awarded a Juno for Best Roots & Traditional CD. Also, Ken has been nominated for Recording of the Year and several times for Best Acoustic Act of the Year by the Toronto Blues Society. Hamm has also been nominated three years running as Best Acoustic Blues Guitarist by North America's "Guitar Player" magazine.
Michael Pickett
Juno Nominee
Award Winning Recording Artist
Acoustic Roots
Accompanied only by his guitar, rack harmonica and sensual expression, Michael Pickett is a performer who has stripped away the frills, to arrive at a place that belongs entirely to him.
"I had a vision that he was gonna be one of the best. In my book he is."
- Hubert Sumlin
"One of the finest harmonica players of all time."
- Lee Oskar
“Tonight he was cast perfectly in the role of the sage, right down to his road-worn and incredibly resonant hollow-body guitar."
- Live Music Report
DAVID CELIA w/ Joan Besen
"David Celia is to the Toronto music scene what Ron Sexsmith was ten years ago; a talented singer-songwriter who has everything he needs (great musicianship, a beautiful voice and good songs)"
-The Torontoist
"David Celia is one of the best talents to hit Merseyside from North America. He's welcome at the Cavern Club anytime..."
-Cavern Club, Liverpool
"One of Toronto's finest songwriter's and guitarists"
-Eye Weekly
Rick Fines
One of Canada's leading blues, roots music and slide guitarists.
Rick won the Maple Blues Award for Acoustic Act Of The Year twice (98, 99) and was nominated this year for the fourth time for MapleBlues Songwriter of the Year. His work with Jackson Delta (for 15 years) brought nominations from both the Juno and the Handy Awards. He has played for legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins, songstress Colleen Peterson, folk icon Penny Lang and many others.
The Lazy Devils
The Lazy Devils Gypsy Jazz and Western Swing trio. The Lazy Devils came together in the winter of 2003 when brothers Ryan and Sam Weber (current members of Ronnie Hawkins band The Hawks) found themselves living in the small town of Buckhorn, ON, just down the road from Flapjack front man Jay Edmunds.
Since then The Lazy Devils have been performing the music of Django Reinhart, Bob Wills, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, and Fats Waller. Inspired by The Hot Club of Cowtown, this swing trio of fiddle, guitar and upright bass, and stellar three part harmonies have been entertaining audiences all over Ontario.
Dave Bidini
Best-Selling Author and Musician
Hopefully you came on out and found out why you need to read one of Mr. Bidini's fine books (he has five), watch one of his films (he has two), or listen to his songs (he has several on the Rheostatics 12 albums!).